On Wednesday Mr. Balfour announced that Lord Elgin (the Viceroy
of India whom Lord Curzon succeeded) would be the President of the Royal Commission to inquire into the conduct of the war. In all probability the Commission would not number more than seven members, of whom one would be a'soldier, one a sailor, and the rest civilians. The terms of reference would be very general, and would include all contract questions, but the military inquiry would only extend to the occupation of Pretoria. The limitation in numbers is most wise, but we trust the limit of time will be taken off, and the war taken as a whole be considered. Again, we sincerely trust that the behaviour of the untrained troops in the field will be most carefully considered. How far does their con- duct during the war justify us in relying upon non-profes- sional troops? That is a question which ought to be asked and answered after a cool and impartial examination of all the facts, for on the answer the future military policy of the Empire depends. We want no inquiry intended to lead to the patting of the non-professional troops on the back, but a serious and fearless Report on their real value in war. As to the members of the Commission, we see that the Pall Mall. Gazette makes the happy suggestion that Sir George Goldie should be appointed. A more suitable appointment could hardly be made. Sir William Mather, who did such good work on the Dawkins Committee, would be another excellent appoint- ment, and we should greatly like to see Mr. Haldane on the Commission. Above all things, we want the Commission to give us light for the future based on past experience, and not to degenerate into mere wrangling over spilt milk.
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